Science Guide
What Is Hypochlorous Acid?
The antimicrobial your immune system produces naturally—and why scientists call it "nature's perfect disinfectant."
Chemical Formula
HOCl
Molecular Weight
52.46 g/mol
Optimal pH Range
5.0 - 6.5
EPA Status
Registered
FDA Status
Cleared for wound care
In This Guide
The Basics
Hypochlorous acid (HOCL) is a weak acid with the chemical formula HOCl. Don't let "acid" alarm you—it's one of the safest antimicrobials known to science. In fact, your own white blood cells produce it every day to fight infection.
When your immune system detects a pathogen—bacteria, virus, or fungus—specialized white blood cells called neutrophils spring into action. These cells contain an enzyme called myeloperoxidase that combines hydrogen peroxide with chloride ions to produce hypochlorous acid. The HOCL then kills the invader within milliseconds.
Key Insight
Scientists didn't invent hypochlorous acid—they replicated what your body already does. By passing electrical current through a saltwater solution (electrolysis), we can produce stabilized HOCL for commercial, medical, and residential applications.
The result is a disinfectant that's 80-100 times more effective than bleach at killing pathogens, yet completely non-toxic. You can spray it on your skin, in your eyes (it's FDA-cleared for eye care), or on food-contact surfaces. After it does its job, it breaks down into simple salt water.
Your Body's Natural Defense
Understanding how your immune system uses hypochlorous acid reveals why it's such an effective—and safe—antimicrobial.
Pathogen Detected
When your body encounters bacteria, viruses, or fungi, your immune system activates neutrophils—specialized white blood cells.
HOCL Produced
Neutrophils contain an enzyme called myeloperoxidase that combines hydrogen peroxide with chloride ions to produce hypochlorous acid.
Pathogen Eliminated
The HOCL rapidly oxidizes and destroys the pathogen's cell membrane, proteins, and DNA—killing it within milliseconds.
Safe Breakdown
After neutralizing the threat, HOCL naturally breaks down into harmless salt water and oxygen, leaving no toxic residue.
~100 million
Neutrophils in your bloodstream right now, each capable of producing hypochlorous acid on demand.
How Hypochlorous Acid Works
The four-step process that makes HOCL so effective against pathogens.
Penetration
Unlike bleach (which has a negative charge), HOCL is neutrally charged. This allows it to pass directly through pathogen cell walls that would repel other disinfectants.
Oxidation
Inside the cell, HOCL rapidly oxidizes critical proteins and enzymes. It denatures proteins by chlorinating amino acids and disrupts metabolic functions.
DNA Disruption
HOCL chlorinates DNA bases, preventing replication and transcription. The pathogen cannot reproduce or repair itself.
Cell Death
The combined assault on membrane, proteins, and DNA causes rapid cell lysis. Pathogens are killed in seconds to minutes, not hours.
Contact Time
Seconds to Minutes
HOCL kills pathogens almost instantly—far faster than bleach or other disinfectants that require extended dwell times.
HOCL vs. Bleach: The Science
Both contain chlorine, but they couldn't be more different. Here's why hypochlorous acid outperforms bleach in every meaningful way.
80-100x
More effective than bleach at the same chlorine concentration. The neutral charge of HOCL allows it to penetrate cell walls that repel bleach.
pH 5-6.5
Optimal pH range for maximum HOCL concentration. Bleach at pH 11+ converts most chlorine to less effective hypochlorite ions.
Applications By Industry
From wound care to food safety, hypochlorous acid is transforming how we think about disinfection.
Healthcare
- Wound irrigation
- Burn treatment
- Surgical site care
- Medical device disinfection
- Hospital surface sanitation
Home & Property
- Mold prevention
- Crawl space treatment
- HVAC sanitization
- Water damage response
- Air quality improvement
Food Safety
- Produce washing
- Food processing surfaces
- Cold storage sanitation
- Packaging equipment
- Drinking water treatment
Agriculture
- Greenhouse sanitation
- Livestock facility treatment
- Crop disease prevention
- Equipment disinfection
- Water system treatment
Looking for professional HOCL treatment services?
View Our HOCL ServicesSafety Profile & Certifications
Hypochlorous acid is recognized as safe by the world's leading regulatory agencies.
EPA
Registered as antimicrobial
Approved for use against bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi in healthcare, food service, and residential settings.
FDA
510(k) cleared
Cleared for wound care, eye care, and as a preservative in medical devices. Safe for direct tissue contact.
USDA
Approved
Approved for organic food processing. Safe for direct food contact without rinsing requirement.
Safety Highlights
Non-toxic
Produced naturally by your immune system. No risk of poisoning.
Non-irritating
Safe for skin, eyes, and respiratory system. No harsh fumes.
No toxic residue
Breaks down to salt water. Safe for food-contact surfaces.
Environmentally safe
Biodegradable. No harmful byproducts or aquatic toxicity.
Safe for children & pets
No special precautions needed. 1-hour re-entry time after treatment.
Surface-safe
Won't damage fabrics, metals, plastics, or finished surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid (HOCL) is a weak acid with the chemical formula HOCl. It's produced naturally by your white blood cells (neutrophils) as part of your immune response to fight pathogens. Scientists have replicated this natural chemistry through electrolysis—passing electrical current through a saltwater solution—to create stabilized HOCL for commercial and medical applications.
How is hypochlorous acid different from chlorine bleach?
While both contain chlorine, they're fundamentally different. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl) is highly alkaline (pH 11-13), toxic, and carries a negative electrical charge that prevents it from penetrating cell walls effectively. HOCL is slightly acidic (pH 5-6.5), non-toxic, and neutrally charged—allowing it to penetrate pathogen cell walls directly. This makes HOCL 80-100x more effective at killing pathogens at equivalent chlorine concentrations.
Is hypochlorous acid safe for humans and pets?
Yes, extremely safe. Your own immune system produces HOCL to fight infection—it's what your white blood cells use to kill pathogens. The FDA has cleared HOCL for wound care, eye care, and as a food-contact sanitizer. It's non-toxic, non-irritating, and produces no harmful fumes. Unlike bleach, there's no risk of chemical burns, respiratory irritation, or toxic residue.
How does hypochlorous acid kill germs?
HOCL kills pathogens through rapid oxidation. Its neutral charge allows it to penetrate cell walls (something bleach cannot do effectively), where it oxidizes proteins, disrupts enzymes, and damages DNA. This multi-target attack kills bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi within seconds to minutes. After neutralizing pathogens, HOCL breaks down into harmless salt water.
Can hypochlorous acid be used for mold treatment?
Absolutely. HOCL is highly effective against mold and is the foundation of our professional mold prevention services. Unlike surface cleaners that only address visible mold, HOCL penetrates porous materials to kill mold at its roots. It's EPA-registered for mold remediation and doesn't damage surfaces, produce toxic fumes, or require extended evacuation—making it ideal for occupied homes and buildings.
How long does hypochlorous acid remain effective?
Stabilized HOCL solutions maintain efficacy for several weeks to months when stored properly (away from heat, light, and contamination). Once applied, HOCL kills pathogens within seconds to minutes, then gradually breaks down into salt water over hours to days. For ongoing protection in humid environments like Georgia, we recommend professional maintenance treatments every 3-6 months.
Where can I get hypochlorous acid treatment?
SpraySquad provides professional HOCL treatment services throughout Athens and Northeast Georgia. We use ZeroPoint hypochlorous acid manufactured locally by Southland Organics—ensuring fresh, potent product for every treatment. We also sell ZeroPoint HOCL directly for those who prefer DIY application. Contact us for service quotes or product pricing.
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